Page 77 of To Love or to Lose
I don’t say anything though as I answer my phone without even looking at the caller ID. I quickly walk past Jameson and unlock my room.
“Hey, smartass.” I hear from the call as I step into my room. I know who it is immediately.
I counter, “Hey, nerd.”
Valerie Mason.
Valerie is possibly the only person I’ve ever considered a friend beyond my immediate circle at Fairwood Prep. Currently an undergraduate student at NYU, Valerie’s been double majoring in engineering and chemistry since she graduated high school at the age of sixteen.She’s my age and may be one of the few people who can match me academically without competing against me.
She is probably considered a genius, but no one would know because she’s never done the true test to calculate her IQ.
In contrast, I’ve taken the test at least a dozen times in my life. She knows she’s smart enough to succeed, considering she started kindergarten at three years old. She doesn’t feel the need to know anything beyond that.
That’s one thing I envy about Valerie. I don’t doubt she could be just as smart, if not smarter than me, but she doesn’t care to know.
She’s that sure of herself, and I love her for it.
When Eloise, Winnie, and I met Valerie while we were touring NYU last year, and she was already going into her freshman year, it felt like fate. The four of us have remained friends since, but Valerie and I always had a closer bond.
She encompasses all the parts of me that I’m too scared to act on.She’s happy, funny, and not afraid of the repercussions of her non-detrimental actions.
“Since when do you come to New York andnottell me about it?” she asks exaggeratedly. “I feel betrayed.”
“Did you change your major to drama and not inform me?” I ask sarcastically, slipping my heels off my feet as I open the curtains. “How did you even find out about the ski trip, anyway? Usually, I’m the one to inform you.”
“Well, you failed to inform me, so I had to do my own research. I can’t believe you forced my hand like that!”
“Oh, so you’re keeping tabs on me now?” I taunt.
“Youare in the center of New York City, the placeIlive, and decide against telling me? Come on, Gen, I want to see you!”
“I figured you were busy, dear. Since you are in college and all.”
She scoffs and I can immediately imagine her throwing her head back in feigned agony.That’s another thing about Valerie, she’s predictable. To me, at least.
“School is a breeze right now, and you’re only in the city one week out of the entire year.” Her voice is elongated as she tries to prove her point. “Are you hungry? Let’s get dinner!”
“Not hungry,” I say plainly, opening the sliding door to my balcony and stepping out to lean over the railing. “Why don’t youstop by the hotel? I’ll text you my room number and we can play a game of chess.”
“I’m hailing a cab!” She calls, sounding further away.
“When did you get outside?”
“I just got off the elevator of my apartment building!” She yells cheerfully, and I notice the background noise of people in her lobby.
God, she’s fast.
“Okay, okay. I’ll see you soon, Val.” I grin as she says goodbye, hanging up.
I don’t know what the worst part of opening my hotel room to an overly excited Valerie was: the squealing that threatened to break my eardrums or the hug she pulled me into immediately after.
I hadn’t even closed the door behind her before she was practically tackling me.
“Genevieve Rose! I’m still mad at you!” She pulls away just enough for me to see her grinning face. She’s holding me in the most loving way I have ever been held.
It isn’t the first time I’ve had the realization that she is one of my best friends, but it isn’t any less surprising.It is shockingly odd that this is the moment for this recurring realization, while she is holding me in a rib crushing hug.
“I know you can’t be mad at me for long, Valerie Paige.”
